Negotiations for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A fighters are in the final stages, with talks between the Ministry of Defence and GE Aerospace under way. File.
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A in the last week of October, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous fighter jet programme.According to officials, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will witness the first flight of Tejas Mk1A jets in Nashik on October 17. He will also visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility and interact with staff involved in production.HAL’s contract to deliver 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft — originally scheduled to begin in February 2024 — has faced delays primarily due to slow engine deliveries from General Electric (GE Aerospace). With only one or two engines being supplied per month, HAL now targets completing deliveries within four years, provided there are no further setbacks.Negotiations for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A fighters are in the final stages, with talks between the Ministry of Defence and GE Aerospace under way.Defence analysts point out that the IAF is operating with 29 squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, and that it may take at least five years to bridge the capability gap. Even months after Operation Sindoor, no significant progress has been made in replenishing the depleted fighter squadrons. Recently, two MiG-21 squadrons have been decommissioned.IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh recently voiced his concern, “Hungry mouths are ready; we are waiting for the food,” he said, emphasising that to maintain optimal strength, the force requires two squadrons — around 30 to 40 aircraft — produced every year.Meanwhile, the IAF’s proposal to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) continues to progress through procedural stages. The Defence Ministry is considering a plan to procure ‘Made in India’ Rafale jets, with at least 18 expected to be delivered off-the-shelf in the near term.French manufacturer Dassault Aviation recently confirmed that a total of 533 Rafale jets have been ordered globally, with 233 still in production. Output has now increased to four aircraft per month.In parallel, the government has sanctioned over ₹15,000 crore for the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, which is expected to take flight within this decade and enter service by 2035.Defence experts estimate that India will require at least 200-250 additional fighters and a parallel indigenous production line to ensure long-term operational readiness. Published - October 08, 2025 09:35 pm IST
